Highlights: Unveiling The Summer Art Sale - Where History Meets Beauty

Lot 37: Robert Jobling “Coble in Staithes Beck” (£2,000-3,000)

Robert Jobling (Staithes Group 1841-1923): “Coble in Staithes Beck'' is a captivating oil painting on canvas. The serene scene of a coble boat in Staithes Beck, rendered by Jobling’s skilled hand, invites viewers to immerse themselves in the coastal beauty of the Staithes region. 

The unsigned artwork measures 30cm x 40cm. Its provenance adds to its allure: it was acquired by the vendor from the artist’s great-grandson approximately 20 years ago, and intriguingly, it has never previously been on the open market.

Lot 68: Ernest Higgins Rigg “The Golden Valley” (£7,000-10,000)

“The Golden Valley” by Ernest Higgins Rigg (1868-1947), a prominent member of the Staithes Group, is a captivating oil painting on canvas. The scene unfolds across a generous canvas, measuring 100cm x 151cm.

This painting was in the possession of Arthur H Rigg, the artist’s elder brother and fellow artist. The journey of this masterpiece took it through The Charles Street Art Gallery in Bradford, as evidenced by a partial label verso. Additionally, there are intriguing glimpses of its exhibition history, with references to the Royal Academy and further partial labels verso.

“The Golden Valley” invites viewers to immerse themselves in its large landscape, a testament to Rigg’s skillful brushwork and his deep connection to nature. The geese, their minder and the timeless beauty of the scene come alive in this beautiful piece.

Lot 1: Michael J Whitehand “Yachts Passing the Buoy” (£800-1,200)

“Yachts Passing the Buoy” by Michael J Whitehand (British 1941-). This oil painting on canvas, measuring 100cm x 125cm, depicts a thrilling maritime scene. Multiple yachts, their sails billowing in the breeze, race past a buoy. The artist skillfully captures the energy of the moment, the tension, the spray of water and the determination of the sailors.

The waves, though not large, add movement and dynamism to the composition. Above, the clouds drift across the sky, hinting at changing weather conditions. Whitehand’s brushwork brings this nautical drama to life, inviting viewers to imagine the exhilaration of the regatta.

Lot 196: Urbain Bourgeois “The Crowning of Venus” (£4,000-6,000)

This serene oil painting on canvas, measuring 41cm x 32cm, portrays a celestial moment, the crowning of Venus. In this ethereal scene, Venus stands adorned, her beauty transcendent. A cherub, with delicate wings, places the crown upon her head. But there’s more: a second cherub hovers nearby, perhaps a witness to this celestial event. 

The history of this masterpiece is equally fascinating. It hails from a private collection and was acquired at Christie’s London on 12th September 2013, as part of Lot 156. Its journey through time and space, from artist’s brush to auction house, adds to its allure.